Shift rod adjusting clamp



Dec. 29, 1953 J. P. HOBART 4 SHIFT ROD ADJUSTING CLAMP Filed April 7, 1949 Y Gttornegs Patented ec.. 29, 1953 SHIFT ROD ABJUSTING CLAMP John I. Hobart, Birmingham, Mich., assigner to `General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Delaware Application April 7, 1949, Serial No. 86,089

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a rod clamp, and more particularly to a clamp for pvotally connecting two rods in a transmission remote control linkage.

rilhe object of this invention is to provide an adjustable pivoted connection between two rods wherein the clamping element is pivoted to one rod and securely clamped but readily adjustable respect to the other rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a ciarnp a powdered metal clamping block having formed portions engaging a rod in an adjustable connection for pivotally connecting a lever and. a control rod.

The adjustable pivotal connecting clamp consists oi a bloei; portion apertured to slidably rece've one rod, and having one stud attached to the block for pivotally securing the block to another lever or rod, and another stud perpendicular to the axis of the first rod to hold a powdered metal clamping element having formed portions in contact with said first rod.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings and detailed description.

Figure l is an elevation in partial section of the clamp pivotally connecting the two rods.

Figure 2 is a partial section on the line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section of Figure 2 on the line 3 3.

Figure li is a perspective view showing the clamp with the clamping cap removed.

The clamp, in accordance with this invention, provides a pivotal connection between a pivoted lever or rod it, such as the lever in a gearshift control linkage normally pivoted at the base of the steering column and the rod i2 which normally connects the lever l to the transmission. The lever it has an aperture adjacent the free end with a bearing insert it fixed therein. The bearing insert has a shoulder engaging the face of the lever it adjacent the clamp to hold the bearing in the lever and to provide a bearing for the clamp block. This bearing may be made of suitable material such as powdered metal impregnated with oil or rubber to allow for alignment variations. The pivot stud it of the clamp is rotatably positioned in this bearing and secured therein byl suitable means, such as the washer l@ and Cotter pin 2li.

The pivotal stud It is secured to the main body portion or block: 22 of the clamp. The block is larger than the stud and bears against a shoulder or flange portion on the bearing i4, which prevents binding and wear between the block and lever. The block portion 22 has a centrally located aperture 2t to slidably receive the control rod l2. The end face or faces of the block 22 surrounding the aperture 2d may be bevelled as at 2t to facilitate rapid insertion of the rod in the clamp block.

In order to clamp the rod l2 in the aperture 2d a stud 2B is secured to the block 23 at right angles to the axis of the rod i2 and preferably in alignment w'th pivotal stud it. A cap-shaped clamping element 3B, which has a central aperture 32 tting over the stud 2t and a central cavity te fitting over the block 22, is employed to clamp the rod. Two opposed sides of the clamping cap .it have V-shaped recesses at which engage the rod i2 at each side of the block 22. The cap .'il or clamping block is made of a hard and rigid metal so that it will bite into and clamp the rod i2 without deforming. The hard, rough and porous sintered powdered iron materials have been found especially suitable for this clamping cap. The sintered powdered iron is suniciently hard and porous or rough to produce a non-slip metallic clamping block.

As shown in Figure l it is noted that there is clearance between the base in the cavity 3d in the clamping cap and the block when the V- shaped recesses 36 engage the rod I2. Suitable means, such as the threaded nut 38 and lock washer te are provided on the stud 28 in order to force the clamp 35i toward the block and engage the rod I2.

The clamping device is assembled by securing the stud it to the lever lo by means of the Cotter pin, and then the rod i2 is inserted in the aperture 2li, The clamping cap 30 is left loose until all the elements or" the linkage are assembled and secured. Then after final adjustment of the linkage has been made, the nut 38 is tightened to force the clamping cap 3@ against the rod I2 to provide a secure pivotal connection between the lever l0 and the rod.

The above description of a specific embodiment of the invention will suggest various modincations of the invention within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a rod clamp, a rectangular block having an aperture therein extending through said block between the central portion of two opposed side faces to receive a first rod, aligned studs transversely located with respect to said aperture and secured to two opposed end faces of said block transversely located with respect to said two opposed side faces, means to pivotally secure one of said studs to a second rod, a clamping element having a base portion and a narrow surrounding side wall portion providing a central cavity, said base portion of the clamping element having an aperture, said side wall portion of said clamping element having cooperating inside faces engaging the side faces of said block to prevent relative rotation and a V-shaped recess in the edge of two opposed narrow side wall portions of said surrounding side wall portion having the inside faces engaging the apertured opposed faces of said block, said clamping element being positioned on said clock with the other of said studs passing through said last named aperture and said inside faces engaging the side faces of said block with the V=shaped recesses engaging the iirst rod in said first named aperture and means on said other stud engaging said clamping element to force the clamping element into engagement with the rst rod.

2. In a rod clamp, a block having an aperture therein extending through the block between two opposed side surfaces to receive a first rod, aligned studs transversely located with respect to said aperture and secured to two opposed end surfaces of said block. transversely located with respect to said two opposed side surfaces, means to pivotally secure one of said studs to a second rod, a clamping element having a base portion and a narrow surrounding side wall portion providing a centrai cavity, said base portion of the clam-ping element having an aperture, said side wall portion of said clamping element having a cooperating inside surface engaging a side surface of said block to prevent relative rotation and a V-shaped 4 recess in the edge of two opposed narrow side wall parts of said surrounding side wall portion having the inside surfaces adjacent the apertured opposed surfaces of said block, said clamping eieA ment being positioned on said block With the other of said studs passing through said last named aperture and said inside faces adjacent the side faces of said block with the V-shaped recesses engaging the first rod in said first named aperture and means on said other stud engaging said clamping element to force the clamping eleA ment into engagement with the rst rod.

JOHN P. HOBART.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 564,228 Spariing July 21, 1895 797,376 Schneider, Sr Aug. 15, 1905 930,162 Dulinsky Aug. 3, 1909 1,435,092 Thomas Nov, 7, 1922 1,482,148 Ratigan Jan. 29, 1924 2,447,434 Schwarzkopf Aug. 17, 1948 2,456,505 Hastings Dec. 14, 1948 2,482 901 Cianfrone Sept. 27, 1949 2,549,939 Shaw et al Apr. 24, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,557 Great Britain Sept. 17, 1901 60,130 Denmark Aug. 24, 1942 OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Treatise on Powder Metallurgy,

' vol. II, copy in Div. 3. 

